AS CHILDREN GROW

and develop, their imagination and creativity expand.  It is awe-inspiring how a child can take a plaything they received at age 1 or 2 and incorporate it into a new way of play.  For example, the little Tolo cow they got on their first birthday, the one that was held, chewed on and slept with, at age 4 now becomes a pasture pal for the Melissa and Doug foldable barn. The battery operated car that buzzed around the floor or was manually pushed later becomes a race car.  For these reasons, and many others, when considering what to buy, whether it be for a baby shower or birthday, or just because, keep in mind how long you will have the toy and if the child can grow with it; in other words, consider a toy that a child can either "grow" into or that they can grow with.

Some good examples of these sorts of play items could include Legos, board and card games, puzzles, and Tolo products, of which many are made for ages 1 to 5, such as the Tolo cow I mentioned above.  Art supplies also fall into this category, such as fingerpaints, markers, crayons, chalk, and watercolor paints, all of which can continue to be a source of fun and creativity well into the preteen years.  We do carry many of  the above mentioned items that are for toddler to teen.

Of course, don't forget the books!  Many of the early childhood books will be read and read and read for years to come, and sometimes they can even be passed on to a younger sibling or other family member or friend.  And these much beloved books will also be in the child's memory as they grow up.  We have so many parents and grandparents who stop by looking for their beloved childhood book, the one they never forgot, the one that still makes them smile, the one that brings forth happy memories of their childhood, the one they loved so much that they wholeheartedly believe it should be part of the literary collection of that special little person. 

Happily, WTTS can provide the art supplies, the books, new and old classics (Remember Nancy Drew?  Well, she's back in vogue), the games, puzzles, trucks and blocks, toys they can mature with, share, and remember as adults, that they can in their later years pass on to the next generation.

CAN YOU BELIEVE

that the fall season is almost upon us?  Though the summer here is a brief one, we truly hope you all had enjoyable and fun-filled vacations.

We would like to officially begin our blog by first and foremost extending our warmest thanks and gratitude to all of you for your support.  We truly appreciate our clientele, and you know who you are:  Friends, colleagues, local patrons as well as national and international customers.  Without all of you we wouldn't be here!!!

Our customer base is such an interesting one.  We've met such friendly people from everywhere.  I remember meeting a wonderful couple visiting from Australia who were shopping for their grandchildren.  As they were making their purchase we were discussing money and they asked me if I wanted to see a sample of their currency.  Of course, I was very curious, and they handed to me what was the most vibrantly colored money I have ever seen which was made of polymer, a plastic material.  They further explained that they no longer have 1 and 2 cent pieces, and they use one dollar coins.  We have also had visits from German exchange students and people from all over the U.S., including Iowa, Tennessee, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, California, Washington State, Wyoming, and the list goes on, and, of course, we regularly have visits from our delightful Canadian neighbors and local folk. Each and every connection we have with our customers is a learning experience.  We learn about cultures, interests, travels, and even weather patterns.  At our store we not only encourage learning, but we also have the benefit of an endless education ourselves!

*****

Although summer is winding down, the cool autumn breezes make for some excellent kite-flying conditions.  We still have lots of cool kites in stock.  Our butterfly kites are ready to take to the skies, or run through a field flying a vortex or a dragon!  Have some fun and come up with creative ways to use the stunt kites.  Vermont has some of the most beautiful acres of open fields (especially when haying is done) to run and do some great kite-flying, but if you are really up to a challenge, how about attempting to fly a kite in a corn maze?

*****

With the onset of school comes the reading assignments.  We recently sold the book Stone Soup to a lovely lady whose daughter had it on her list of required reading.  I remember in junior high being required to read Dorothy Canfield Fisher (DCF) Award books.  We currently have some DCF books in stock as well as various Caldecott and Newbery Award winner books.  Also gracing our shelves is the Sisters Grimm series (perhaps some of you remember the Brothers Grimm?)  It is so refreshing to read a twist on an old classic.  Which reminds me of a few other books on that topic, such as CinderEdna and Sleeping Bobby.  Wider Than the Sky's mantra is "All our toys are powered by imagination," so having as part of our inventory books such as these, which use creative ways to rewrite a much loved fairy tale, is a must and fits in perfectly with our mission.

*****

So folks, enjoy the rest of your September month, and get out and catch the sun while you can.  Fly that kite, read that book, explore nature, and continue to nurture children's creativity and imagination as well as your own.

I Guess...

The best way to get started is to just jump right in!  We're all on board now, next I just have to figure out how to download photos.   We'll get our profiles done ASAP, that way you'll know who we are.  I'll be talking to Helen Hipp tomorrow, author of "A Different Kind of Safari".  Hopefully we'll be carrying her book soon.  If you would like to learn more about her and her book, try this link, you may have to cut and paste it if you can't click through.

 http://newsle.com/article/0/85301888/ 

Until next time....

Hi Everyone...

 This blogging is all new to us.  We're just learning our way around this site, it's a bit confusing to say the least!  You'll be hearing from Karin, Diane, Billy and Jesse from time to time.  We'll try to keep you up to date on what's happening and what's new at Wider Than The Sky.  We'll try to cover the latest trends in toys and keep you informed.   But right now I've got to do more exploring here, want to make sure I'm doing this right!  Hope you're all enjoying this long Labor Day Weekend.  : )